Tasmanian Premier Lara Giddings will open the new $5 million Josef Chromy Restaurant and Function Centre on Tuesday evening (28 February).
More than 150 guests, including Tourism and Hospitality minister Scott Bacon, Launceston mayor Albert van Zetten and Tourism Tasmania CEO Tony Mayell, have been invited to join founder Josef Chromy, managing director Dean Cocker and Ms Giddings at the opening.
Guests arrive from 5.30pm for a 6pm start at Josef Chromy Vineyard, 370 Relbia Rd, Relbia. The formal part of the evening concludes at 7pm, however guests are welcome to stay longer.
The contemporary extension was built at the rear of the existing 1880s homestead on the Relbia property to house the new Function Centre, which was designed by Birrelli Architects in Launceston, Mr Cocker explained.
“While it is a modern addition to the Josef Chromy Cellar Door and Café, the Function Centre is not visible when approaching from the front garden, so that visitors still experience the ‘old world charm’ of the homestead when walking in past the 100-year-old oak trees in the picnic grounds,” Mr Cocker said.
The renovated Cellar Door and Cafe features a modern tasting bar and cafe area and a 3m polished concrete passage leads past an open kitchen into the new Restaurant and Function Centre.
In addition to existing facilities, the complex on the 120-hectare property provides the following new facilities:
• Barrel room and micro winery where short winemaking courses will be held
• Space for larger functions both inside and out, with extensive decks on three sides
• Movable glass walls and break out rooms to accommodate smaller functions, conferences and seminars
• Dance floor and elevated stage
• Two grass amphitheatres – one for 800 people located off the back of the new Function Centre and the existing amphitheatre for 6,000 people where A Day on the Green concerts are held.
“Our new Function Centre will provide a unique venue for weddings, functions, conferences and events, overlooking the lake and vineyard,” Mr Cocker added.
A name synonymous with Tasmanian wine and food, Josef Chromy came to Australia after fleeing Czechoslovakia in 1950 following WWII.
Working two jobs in his new-found home in north-western Tasmania to fund his own meat business, the 20-year-old master butcher initially struggled in business due to a lack of capital and his limited English. His determination saw him succeed however with Blue Ribbon Meat Products before selling that business and establishing The JAC Group, which enabled him to enter the wine and property industries.
Josef Chromy has owned and developed some of Tasmania’s leading wineries including Rochecombe (now Bay of Fires), Jansz, Heemskerk, Tamar Ridge and Josef Chromy Wines, which opened in 2006. In the five years since it was established, Josef Chromy Wines has won 15 trophies, 25 gold medals and more than180 medals in total.
The Cellar Door and Cafe has been named in the ‘Top 10 Cellar Doors of Australia’ by Wine Business Magazine and ‘Most Outstanding Visitor Experience’ in 2010 by the Launceston Chamber of Commerce.
For more information about Josef Chromy Wines, please visit www.josefchromy.com.au
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